Does anyone have a Sharps Borchardt 1878 Military Government Model (45-70) and shoot it? Any recommendations on commercial ammo? Cowboy loads?
Anyone have the book by Frank De Haas Single Shot Rifles and Actions?

Searching the 'net reveals only about 7000 military model rifles were made. That's quite a piece.

I'm not very knowledgeable about these, my only black powder cartridge rifle is an 1884 Trapdoor.

I think any commercial lead bullet cowboy ammo should be safe to shoot. I believe all the cowboy ammo is safe for a Trapdoor, and the Sharps should be stronger.

For handloads, a 405 grain lead bullet and 26 grains of Accurate 5744 is plenty safe for a Trapdoor and should be fine for the Sharps.

There are some who believe only black powder should be used in these rifles. I won't argue with them, except I believe that published data for 5744 produces black powder pressures if the data from the Trapdoor section is used.